train travel for pensioners in nsw

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Find out how to get a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card

Get a Gold Opal card

Eligible seniors can apply on the Opal website

Apply as an Interstate Senior

Eligible interstate seniors can use this form to apply

about Seniors Card

If you have a Seniors Card issued by any Australian state or territory, you are entitled to concession fares on public transport in NSW. Some Seniors Cards are not accepted.

NSW Seniors Card eligibility

To be eligible for a NSW Seniors Card, you must be a NSW permanent resident aged 60 or over, doing no more than an average of 20 hours of paid work a week, across a 12 month period.

How to apply for a NSW Seniors Card

To apply for a NSW Seniors Card and any replacement, visit the NSW Seniors Card website or call 13 77 88 and your application will be processed over the phone.

NSW Seniors Cards are issued by the Department of Family and Community Services. Seniors Cards are issued free of charge and have no expiry.

Interstate Seniors Cards

If you do not reside in NSW, contact the applicable state government department in your home state or territory to apply for your Seniors Card.

If you already hold an interstate Seniors Card, you can apply for a Gold Opal card by completing the Interstate Seniors application form .

Important information before applying for a Gold Opal card:

• Make sure you have your Seniors Card number ready
• Prepare a photocopy or scan of your Seniors Card (front and back)
• Application forms and supporting documents are to be uploaded and submitted online via the Concessions application form
• Please submit at least three to four weeks before travelling to NSW

Seniors Cards not accepted

Concession fares are not available to holders of other types of seniors cards, such as:

• New Zealand SuperGold Card
• National Seniors Card
• NSW Seniors Savers Card
• Seniors Business Discount Card
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card

booking Ticket options

You must carry your Seniors Card or digital Seniors Card when travelling on a concession fare as proof of entitlement or you may be fined.

Concessions are generally not available on private ferries, event shuttle buses, chartered buses and Great Southern Rail services.

opal Sydney and surrounding areas

When travelling within the Opal network , eligible seniors are entitled to use a Gold Senior/ Pensioner Opal card. You'll need your proof of entitlement card to apply and must carry it with you at all times.

If you do not have your proof of entitlement card, you are required to pay for and travel with an Adult fare, or you may be fined for travelling on an invalid ticket .

How to get your Gold Opal card

NSW/ACT Seniors: NSW and ACT Seniors Card holders can apply on the Opal website .

Interstate Seniors: Interstate Seniors Card holders (except from the ACT) can apply for new or replacement Gold Opal cards by completing the Interstate Seniors application form (pdf 283KB) .

Important information for Interstate Seniors before applying:

Sydney Airport train station access fee

Eligible seniors pay the Concession Sydney Airport station access fee when travelling with a Gold Opal card to or from the airport train stations.

regional-train coach Regional NSW

Nsw trainlink.

Eligible seniors are entitled to $2.50 all day travel with the Country Pensioner Excursion ticket when booking on NSW TrainLink Regional services within NSW.

When travelling interstate on NSW TrainLink Regional services (entitlements vary from state to state).

nsw-map Privately-owned services

Eligible seniors are entitled to $2.50 all day travel on regional buses with the Regional Excursion Daily ticket.

Some privately owned and operated services may offer other concessions at their own discretion. Check with local transport operators before you travel.

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opal Senior and pensioner fares

Senior and pensioner fares are for eligible:

• asylum seekers
• DVA Gold Card holders
• NSW war widows and widowers.

Check your eligibility and apply for a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card  

DVA Gold Card holders apply at transport.nsw.gov.au/CECApply .

When travelling on a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card you must also carry your proof of entitlement card. If not, you you must pay an Adult fare using an Adult Opal card  or  contactless payment or purchase an  Opal single ticket  to avoid fines. 

Don't forget to tap off, or you will be charged a default fare .  For Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal cardholders, it's never more than your $2.50 daily cap.

You can use the Trip Planner or Opal Travel app to plan your trip and estimate your fares.

Learn how Opal fares work .

opal Daily and Weekly Caps

With a Senior/Pensioner Gold Opal card you can travel as much as you want on metro, train, bus, ferry and light rail services within the Opal network and you never pay more than $2.50 a day (weekdays or weekend days).

Please note that:

• The Opal week runs from Monday to Sunday.
• The Sydney Airport station access fee isn’t included in the Daily or Weekly Travel Caps however there is a separate weekly cap on the station access fee.

opal Peak and off-peak times

You will receive a 30% fare discount on metro/train, bus and light rail services when travelling on Fridays, weekends, public holidays and outside of the peak times. Find out more .

metro train Metro and train fares

Sydney airport.

When travelling to the airport train stations, the Sydney Airport station access fee  is added on to the cost of your fare.

bus Bus fares

Ferry ferry fares, private ferries.

Gold Opal card holders who live full-time in areas which are primarily only accessible by the ferry services listed below, can contact the ferry operator to check their eligibility for subsidised travel to the mainland.

• Cronulla and National Park Ferry  servicing Bundeena and Malabar
• Church Point Ferry  servicing Scotland Island, Morning Bay, Lovett Bay and Elvina Bay
• Brooklyn Ferry  servicing Dangar Island and Little Wobby
• Palm Beach Ferry  servicing Great Mackerel Beach, Coasters Retreat and Currawong Beach

Opal cards are accepted on some private ferries with OpalPay , wherever you see 'OpalPay accepted here'. With OpalPay, you can use your Opal card to pay your fare.

• OpalPay fares are not the same as standard Opal fares. Fares and ticket terms and conditions are set by the operator.
• Concession fares are not offered on all services. Check with staff before you tap to pay.
• OpalPay will not contribute to your Opal travel benefits or discounts .

lightrail Light rail fares

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New Gold Opal card to offer seniors $2.50 daily travel cap

Published: 27 September 2016

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the launch of the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card is another major milestone in the Opal rollout.

“The new Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card means eligible customers won’t pay more than $2.50 a day for travel on trains, buses, Sydney Ferries and light rail when it is rolled out,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The benefits of the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card include:

• Fares are capped at no more than $2.50 a day
• Top up the card’s value with a minimum $2.50 cash at one of more than 1,400 Opal retailers
• You don’t have to worry if you lose your card – simply cancel the card and your balance will be transferred to a new card and mailed out to you.
• Set the Opal card to auto top up, just like having an e-tag in your pocket
• If you travel more than 8 paid journeys in a week, you get free trips after that for the rest of the week, like all Opal customers.

Seniors and pensioners can still buy and use paper Pensioner Excursion Tickets (PET) if they don’t want to use the Gold Opal card.

“From Monday November 3, seniors and pensioners can access all the benefits of the Opal card – including the convenience of never having to queue for a paper ticket again. Gold Opal customers can use cash to top up their card with as little as $2.50”, Ms Berejiklian said.

The Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card is available for NSW Seniors, Pensioner Concession card holders and NSW War Widows. Customers only need to get the Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card once, and the card itself will cost nothing.

To order a Gold Senior/Pensioner Opal card simply call 13 67 25 (13 OPAL) or visit the Opal website . It takes only minutes to apply, and then it takes about one week for the card to be mailed out to your home.

Inspiration for Australian Travellers

How to claim Pensioner Travel Vouchers in NSW

If you’re a local senior thinking of a trip anywhere around NSW, then you should be aware of an 85% discount to travel First Class, or, free travel in Economy Class.

NSW and ACT Pensioner Concession Card and NSW War Widow/er transport concession card holders are entitled to four one-way vouchers every year that offer a huge range of benefits for travel not only on the vast rail and coach network within regional NSW but beyond State borders as well.

The vouchers – to be used whenever you choose to travel within a calendar year – enable cardholders to travel free in Economy in regional NSW and to upgrade to First Class, you’ll only need to pay 15% of the full adult peak season fare (minimum $10 trip fee applies).

If your journey requires you to cross the NSW border, having a voucher means you’ll pay just 50% of the relevant Economy or First Class fare for that interstate portion of your trip.

It’s also worth noting that if your voucher-trip involves destinations or departures from Greater Sydney stations (see the boundary distinctions below ), there will be no charge on Sydney Trains nor NSW TrainLink Intercity services – you just have to make sure those stops are part of your overall one-way connected journey and are part of the one booking.

For example, a one-way trip utilising a voucher concession might look like this:

From Hornsby to Broken Hill in First Class

• Your first sector from Hornsby to Strathfield suburban station to catch the weekly Xplorer service would be $0 because it’s on a suburban train as part of your connecting journey to Broken Hill.
• The First Class adult peak season fare to Broken Hill on the Xplorer is $183.29. With a one-way Pensioner Travel Voucher, you pay just 15% of that as a ‘First Class booking fee’.
• So, your total fare to get from Hornsby to Broken Hill would be just $27.49.

If you travelled in Economy (the normal Economy adult fare to Broken Hill is $130.26), you would travel free using one of your four annual one-way Pensioner Travel Vouchers.

If you are thinking about using your voucher to claim concessions on a sleeping berth, please note:

• Sleeping cars are only available in First Class
• They carry an extra charge of $88 for a berth.
• You would still pay just 15% of the full fare, plus the berth charge, but remember, if you cross State borders, you would pay 50% of the fare for that interstate portion of the trip.

Firstly, make sure your Pensioner Concession Card is registered with NSW TrainLink. You can do this simply by calling 13 22 32.

There is no need to go into a station or agent to have your Pension Card sighted for registration.

To redeem vouchers, enter your Pension Card number when you book online or quote it if you book by phone, and please remember to keep that card with you when you travel as onboard crew may use it to verify your voucher.

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Finally, you don’t need to worry about keeping track of when you have used your vouchers to travel. NSW TrainLink will do that for you and you can call to verify as needed.

Naturally, any unused vouchers are forfeited but if you do travel on more than four one-way journeys in a calendar year, your Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or government-issued Seniors Card still entitles you to a 50% concession on the full adult peak season fare until the annual rollover date restarts your entitlement to four more vouchers.

And if that’s not exciting enough – you can still use the $2.50 Country Pensioner Excursion fare anywhere in the ‘CPE Zone’ on the Regional Train and Coach network.

Click the map to enlarge, click again to return.

For a full list of all entitlements and concessions on NSW Regional trains, click here.

If you have any further questions regarding travel throughout the Regional network, call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 or visit nswtrainlink.info

With a career spanning news journalism, travel documentary-making and general wanderlust, I have been fortunate to venture far & wide to experience some amazing things ... and I still get excited packing my bags every time!

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Guide: Public transport trips when interstate

Smart cards have changed how we catch a bus tram, ferry or train, but the rules differ from state to state

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• 2 March 2023
• Read Time: 8 mins

Getting around by public transport has been made easier since the introduction of plastic travel cards that can be used to tap on/tap off. It is getting even easier with some states now accepting debit and credit cards, including those connected to smart devices, meaning you don’t even need to purchase yet another plastic card for your purse or wallet. 

While using these cards are an easier option than worrying about paper tickets to travel around, every state uses different card systems which makes it difficult to know how to pay for transport when travelling interstate.

The rules are different from state to state, and there are traps if you are unfamiliar with the system. These include:

• While all capital cities issue tap-and-go travel cards, they are not interchangeable. You won’t be able to use your state’s travel card interstate.
• Use of the travel cards can be limited in regional areas.
• Seniors Card holders outside their own state or territory may be treated differently to cardholders from the home state.
• The time of day can make a difference to the fare you pay

Here’s a state-by-state rundown of public transport cards.

The myki card is used on trains, trams and buses in Melbourne, certain V/Line rail services and buses within Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour, and the La Trobe Valley.

Seniors' myki cards are available for Victorian Seniors Card holders, while with Seniors Card holders from other states or territories qualify eligible for a concession card.

Seniors and concession cards cost $3, half the full price of $6, and can be bought and topped up at railway stations and many retailers including 7-Eleven stores. This can also be done online . Travellers with Android phones can download a myki app.

Seniors and concession-card holders receive a 50 per cent discount on fares. There is also a free tram zone in the CBD.

The myki network does not currently accept allow users to tap on and off with credit- cards. payments.

Find out more:

New South Wales

The Opal Card can be used on trains, trams, buses and ferries in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra region.

All seniors are entitled to half-price fares, while a Gold Seniors Opal Card, which is available online , allows Seniors Card holders unlimited travel for no more than $2.50 a day in these regions. 

Standard Opal Cards are available to buy at convenience stores and retailers. 

Passengers can also tap-and-go using debit cards and American Express, Mastercard and Visa credit cards – but senior and other concession fares are not available if you use this method.

Companions and carers can qualify for free travel if accompanying concession card holders.

The Translink go card is valid for use on trains, trams, buses and ferries in the greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. The top-up card can be bought and recharged at railway stations and some shops, including newsagencies, and online .

A seniors go card is available to those with a valid Seniors Card issued by any state or territory. Seniors, who are exempt from the $5 fee but must load the card with at least $5 on purchase, pay half fare.

Queensland has just introduced Smart Ticketing allowing passengers to can now pay with Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards, bank debit cards, smartphone or smart device. Tap and go credit card payments can only be used on the new smart ticketing terminals, which are coloured bright pink., These machines also accept go cards.

The ability to use tap and go credit card payments is available on most the greater Brisbane train transport network, including the Air Train to the ort. It will eventually be rolled out to bus services in Brisbane and beyond, including major centres such as Cairns, Bowen, Rockhampton, and Bundaberg.

The bad news is that there is no seniors discount on these transactions, so a go card is a far better option.

For one-off trips, passengers can purchase paper tickets, but they are more expensive than those bought on cards or smart devices.

Brisbane City Council offers free off-peak travel for seniors on its bus network.

South Australia

The rechargeable MetroCARD can be used on trains, trams and buses in city and suburban Adelaide.

The South Australian Seniors Card includes MetroCARD technology, allowing users to travel all day, every day for free.

Seniors Card holders from other states and territories can access a MetroTicket for 14 consecutive days of free off-peak travel during a visit to Adelaide. Details are hereon the SA Government website .

If you don’t qualify for free travel, MetroCARDs are available from selected retailers and vending machines across Adelaide, with concessional fares half the regular price.

Passengers on tram and O-Bahn bus services can tap on and off and pay with their Mastercard or Visa.

Western Australia

The SmartRider rechargeable card is available for travel on the TransPerth network of trains, trams and buses, and can be purchased at agents, including many newsagencies.

Western Australian seniors qualify for free off-peak travel and concessional fares during peak hours using their state-issued Seniors Card. It is rechargeable with amounts of $10 or more if you want to use it outside of the free period.

Holders of interstate Seniors Cards are eligible for a Concession SmartRider card. Concession fares vary depending on the number of zones travelled, but they are less than 50 per cent of full fare.

TransPerth will introduce credit and debit card tap on and off payments in late 2023.

The Metro Greencard, which can be purchased at branded Metro Shops, bus depots and Metro shops and agents including newsagencies and convenience stores, is available for bus travel in Hobart. It can be recharged at the same outlets or online .

Holders of a Seniors Card issued in any state or territory, and all people over 70, are entitled to a concessional flat fare of $1.92 per journey using a Metro Greencard or $2.40 if paying cash.

Australian Capital Territory

The MyWay card is available for use on bus and light rail services across the territory. The technology is already included in Australian Seniors Cards issued in the ACT.

Seniors Card holders from elsewhere in Australia can purchase an Interstate Seniors MyWay Card at the 30-plus MyWay agents, including many newsagencies, or on the Transport Canberra website . 

Journeys are free for seniors and other concession-card holders during off peak times, and half price in peak hours, with an upper cap of $4.80 on week days and $2.17 on weekends and public holidays.

Northern Territory

People holding a Seniors Card from any state or territory are entitled to free bus trips at all times any time of the day just by showing that card to the driver.

Passengers who are not Seniors Card holders, but are entitled to other concessions, pay one-third of full fare via Tap & Ride Cards. These, which can be bought and recharged on buses and at the Casuarina, Darwin, and Palmerton bus interchanges.

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Using your card

The regional seniors travel card is a non-reloadable, Visa card with $250 pre-loaded to pay for travel related expenses at retailers. 

A 4-digit PIN will be sent in a separate letter to your card for security purposes.

You'll need your PIN to complete some transactions at retail outlets. You cannot use your PIN for over the phone or online transactions.

Your regional seniors travel card can be used Australia-wide, including in metropolitan areas and when travelling interstate.

Before you use your card

When you receive your card sign the back of it and memorise your PIN.

You'll need to activate your card before you can use it by contacting card services by phone or online.

See Managing your card for more information.

You can use your card for:

• pre-booked NSW TrainLink Regional train and coach services
• fuel at service stations, convenience stores or mixed businesses that operate with a fuel merchant category code
• fuel for someone else’s vehicle to support your transport needs
• electric charging stations
• Opal card top up payments
• privately-operated coaches
• selected community transport services. 

You need to confirm that your card will be accepted by the retailer or service provider before you use it.

If the retailer or service provider accepts split payments, you can use:

• your regional seniors travel card and another card or cash, or
• both your 2023 and 2022 regional seniors travel cards provided the cards have sufficient funds and are operational.

You cannot use your card for: 

• cash withdrawals from ATMs, bank branches or via point-of-sale terminals 
• balance enquiries at ATMs or bank branches
• rideshare services including Uber
• local bus fares (the majority accept cash only)
• recurring transaction setups, such as Opal auto top up
• purchases that are not related to travel 
• transactions outside of Australia. 

Your regional seniors travel card cannot be transferred, sold or exchanged for other benefits. Your card will be declined if you try to use it for an unauthorised transaction.

Opal card payments

You can use your regional seniors travel card to top up an Opal card:

• via the Opal travel app
• at service stations operating as an Opal retailer
• via Opal top up machines available at selected stations, shops and wharves
• at selected Service NSW Centres
• at Transport Customer Service Centres.

You cannot use your regional seniors travel card for contactless payments on the Opal network.

Opal card retailers

You can use your regional seniors travel card at selected Opal retailers, including: 

• service stations or mixed businesses that sell fuel under the appropriate merchant category code
• selected Service NSW Centres (Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Cessnock, Erina, Gosford, Goulburn, Gunnedah, Kiama, Lithgow, Maitland, Mittagong, Mudgee, Muswellbrook, Nowra, Orange, Parkes, Queanbeyan, Raymond Terrace, Richmond, Singleton, Tamworth, Toronto, Toukley, Tuggerah, Wallsend, Warners Bay and Young)
• Transport Customer Service Centres.

Find your nearest Opal retailer .

Card misuse

The usage of regional seniors travel cards is monitored to prevent fraud. This includes checking: 

• if transactions are for travel-related items and/or at approved retail outlets
• the requested number of cards sent to the same address.

Upon notification, lost or stolen cards will be cancelled immediately to prevent misuse. 

If your card is cancelled due to misuse, fraud or other reasons, any remaining balance will be returned to the NSW Government.

Card services

You can contact card services 24/7 by:

• visiting nswregionalseniors.cards , or
• calling 1800 569 070 . 

On the card services website , you can register, activate and manage your card online, including tracking your balance and reviewing transactions. You can also access frequently asked questions or you can read the Get started with your regional seniors travel card guide .

Card sample

Regional seniors travel card – Front

Regional seniors travel card – Back

• Please check your details or select another travel date.

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